NRL: Brown rock among back row riches

Proud Cantabrian Lewis Brown. Photo / APN

Lewis Brown could be the victim of a backrow bonanza.

After an unheralded arrival, the 24-year-old has been a revelation in his first two seasons at the club. Last year he scored seven tries in 23 matches, averaged 77 minutes per game and was second only to Lance Hohaia in line break assists. He also proved a handy option at centre and made the Kiwis squad for the 2010 Four Nations squad.

This year expectation ratchets up a notch, as does the competition. Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering, Michael Luck, Ukuma Ta'ai, Steve Rapira and Elijah Taylor are all among the contenders for three spots in the back row.

"It's tough but I like challenges," Brown says. "At the moment, I'm in the 17 and it's your own fault if you're not there for the rest of the year. My goal is to play every game and give Ivan [Cleary] and the coaching staff no reason to drop me."

Brown sparkles with enthusiasm, and team insiders say he approaches everything he does with intensity and passion. He's a renowned prankster around the club but it's all business on the field.

"I love my football to death. I play 110 per cent each week and try to bring as much enthusiasm as I can. It's always been a dream to be where I am today but it can go as quickly as it comes. I don't want it to go anytime soon so I have to play out of my skin each week - it's that simple."

Brown took a circuitous route to the NRL. The Christchurch-born Brown moved to Sydney as a teenager and was initially signed to play Jersey-Flegg for the Sydney Roosters. Then playing as a hooker, he moved to the Wests Tigers with high hopes, but failed to crack first grade due to the presence of Robbie Farah and John Morris. The dream stalled, his training and progress hindered by having to work in a clothing warehouse during the day.

He leaped at the lifeline offered by the Warriors in late 2008, even though it was a basic deal around match payments.

"We took a punt - but he will tell you it wasn't an expensive one," Cleary says. "I thought we were buying an interchange hooker but as soon he arrived I just saw backrower. He came as an unknown prospect but has gone from strength to strength.

"Like a lot of young guys he hit a flat patch [in his second season] last year but realigned himself really quickly and went up again. Now he needs to become more of a man in the NRL - he is not a surprise packet any more. You have to improve and your performances get judged harsher."

Not surprisingly, Cleary is enjoying his surfeit of options in the back row.

He lauds the strikepower provided by Mateo and Ta'ia; the solidity offered by Luck and Mannering and the promise and pace of Brown and Taylor.

At 1.79m tall and weighing 97kg, Brown is aware he can be dwarfed by many of his opponents.

"I'm little for a second rower but what I lack in size I don't lack in heart," says Brown, who is related to former Kiwi Brendon Tuuta, who was similarly small but known as the Baby-Faced Assassin. "I like playing among the big boys and you can't be intimidated to play this sport. It's not how big you are - it's how big your heart is."

Brown played his 39th NRL match last night, but can still be awed by the pace of the game.

"It can be hard to push through fatigue but you learn to do it. You can't listen to that little man on your shoulder telling you to stop."

Brown takes great pride from being the only born and bred South Islander at the Warriors, often reminding Simon Mannering (who grew up in Nelson, but was born in Napier) that he is just an "adopted" southerner. Not that he appears to need it, but the events of February 22, 2011 have given him extra motivation this season.

"I will be playing each week for the people of Christchurch," Brown says.

"I'm a very passionate Cantabarian and words can't describe what I saw down there. My auntie lost her home. That is a big drive for me this year - to play for my people."

LEWIS BROWN

* Born: October 3, 1986

* Birthplace: Christchurch

* Junior club: Riccarton Knights

* Warriors debut: Round 8, 2009

* Nickname: Sharky

* As a 10-year-old ballboy, Brown snaffled Stephen Kearney's Kiwis socks and shorts after a 1996 test match as souvenirs.